Nokonwaba Ngxabazi
Full Name: Nokonwaba Ngxabazi
Position and Company Name: Chief administrative officer of Michelin Tyre Company Africa & Middle East
Main Activity of the Company: Michelin is a multinational tyre manufacturing company
Date and Place of Birth: April 12, Soweto, Gauteng
Schools and Tertiary Education: Ndamase, Eastern Cape; SE College, Johannesburg; University of Cape Town; MBA, University of South Africa
First Job: Receptionist at an insurance company
Size of First Pay Packet: R10 000 a month
Career Path to Date: I worked as a receptionist for an insurance company after university, after which I worked for Sasol as a human resources business partner. This was followed by stints as human resources manager at FNB and Standard Bank and as human resources director at Hilti. As Michelin’s chief administrative officer (in the South Africa office), I am responsible for sub-Saharan Africa, and as Michelin’s personnel services director (in the Dubai office) I am responsible for Africa and the Middle East
Value of Assets under Your Control: Revenue of R2.8-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 35
Management Style: Mostly situational; however, I prefer to be more of a servant leader who enjoys coaching the team. Leading from the back has always been a good strategy for me. I trust the expertise of my team
Personal Best Achievement: Helping Michelin South Africa achieve Level 1 broad-based black economic empowerment status, and being able to develop and create a high-performing team within an organisation
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mentors, coaches and direct line manager, who set high expectations for me, and my mother, who knew the best version of myself that I didn’t even knew existed
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My mother and myself
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Wendy Luhabe – she is a humble, focused and determined woman
Philosophy of Life: To have a long-lasting impact on the lives of all those I have worked with
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to head up the Michelin Dubai office as personnel services director, with responsibility for Africa and the Middle East
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not to have retired at 40! Seriously, all the disappointments that I have had taught me valuable lessons. One of the disappointments was a failed business, but I learned a lot from that failed business
Hope for the Future: I hope for a country that focuses on its people and putting them first. Personally, I hope to impact on the communities I live in and to develop the next generation of leaders (both males and females) that are conscious about people, and not things
Favourite Reading: Business-related, self-help and spiritual books
Favourite TV Programme: I don’t watch TV, except for news – but then selectively
Favourite Food/Drink: Warm water with lemon and anything that has berries in it
Favourite Music: R&B, soul and spiritual music
Favourite Sport: I enjoy all kinds of sports – it’s the energy, camaraderie, fun and the atmosphere that the sporting space creates that attract me
Hobbies: Anything with two wheels that will ensure I am outdoors and in the sun – that is, biking, running, cycling and hiking – as well as singing
Car: Range Rover
Pets: I’m too spontaneous to own a pet
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who don’t respect others and time
Married: Divorced
Children: Bulumka Maseko, 20; Thulani Ngxabazi (nephew)
Clubs: None